May 2023 USJ

The Union St.

Journal The Breaking Point

How do we respond to the constant threat of gun violence in schools?

Cherry Creek High School 9300 E. Union Ave. Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Vol. 8 Issue 4 May 2023

Table of Contents News 4 - The Decline of French Classes 5 - Creek Talks Potential TikTok Ban 6 - News Bites

4

Features

9 - The Breaking Point: How We Respond to Constant School Gun Violence Threat

14

14 - Boys’ Volleyball Rebuilds 16 - Photo Gallery: Girls’ Soccer Success 17 - Tianna Chambers Finds Comfort, Conflict in Sport

7

A&E

9

Opinions

7 - Caffeine Addiction is Real Threat to Teens 8 - Keogh, Knox Talk Next Steps

In-Depth

Sports

18 - USJ Predicts: Summer Fits 19 - USJ Predicts: Summer Hits

18 20

20 - The Objectification of Teenage Girls 22 - We Need Honest Vape Conversations 23 - Staff Editorial: It Was Never About Protecting Kids

On The Cover

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n AK-47 bullet lies beside a shattered pencil to symbolize the threat of gun violence in schools. The AK-47 rifle, with a semi-automatic setting (automatics are illegal in the U.S.), is common among American gun owners, alongside AR-15s, which are used in many of the deadliest mass shootings across America.

Mass shootings, as defined by the Gun Violence Archive, are incidents where four or more people were killed or injured. There were 647 mass shootings in 2022, according to Insider. And, according to the Washington Post, 377 mass and non-mass shootings have occurred in schools since Columbine in 1999. “It’s not a problem of if it happens to us, it’s when it happens to us,” junior Nandita Nair said. “It’s almost inevitable.”

Beginning on page 9, we assess three different responses to the school shooting threat: anxiety, activism, and policy.

Editor’s note: this cover photo was not taken on campus. Firearms and other weapons are not permitted on school grounds.

COVER PHOTO BY CARLY PHILPOTT COVER COMPOSITION BY CARLY PHILPOTT, ALEX GRIBB, AMANDA CASTILLO-LOPEZ, AND KATYA ROUDAKOV

A senior signs the Post Grad window on April 28, Senior Day. Held annually, Senior Day provides graduating students with an opportunity to mark where they will be attending college on a map, as well as sign the window and celebrate with friends before they graduate.

PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK

Letter from the Editors

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his issue marks the last for our most experienced editor, Carly Philpott, as she goes to college after the school year ends. For those staying behind, we are excited for new responsibilities and opportunities to represent Creek.

One of those ways was with our In-Depth, which addresses how students respond to school shootings. Elsewhere in the magazine, we bid farewell to beloved Assistant Principal Knox

and congratulate new Assistant Principal Dr. Keogh, and dive into athlete Tianna Chambers’ life and her ability to balance sports and academics, factoring in her identity as well. Our staff editorial this issue argues against anti-trans legislation and works to disprove the ideas that these laws protect children.

We also assess how young girls are unfairly shaped by catcalling.

As always, it’s difficult to state how proud we are of the work done in this issue. We want to thank our entire staff and all our readers for their constant support and hard work. Happy summer!

– Editors-in-Chief Carly Philpott & Alex Gribb

Correction: In our March issue, we published a mistake stating that the baseball parent booster club pays for some of the team’s coaches. CCSD pays for all coaching staff. This portion of the article was removed from the online version.

Staff: Editors-in-Chief Carly Philpott Alex Gribb Managing & Sports Editor Quinn Rudnick Web & Opinions Editor Izzy Krauss News Editor Amanda Castillo-Lopez

Design Manager Nick Rui Chief Photographer Wryn Duepre Chief Sports Photographer Marie Webster Copy Editor Aurora Miller

Asst. Opinions Editor Gillian Neale

Staff Writers Blayne Aina Isabel Alley Meron Banjaw Ephraim Bantshi Aram Bazarian Nick BeDan Maddie Hart Avery Hutchins Jonathan Lee Binderiya Lkhagvatseren Natalia Perusquia Ayushi Sah Jackson Sloan Sydney Smith Vee Williamson Angela Xu Georgia Yatrakis Owen Youngblood

Asst. Sports Editor Cael Clancy

Advisor Seth Fine

Features Editors Lily Deitch Emily Gleason A&E Editor Katya Roudakov Asst. News Editor Peter Philpott Asst. Features Editor Jude Gorden Asst. A&E Editor Gabby Schrock

Video Editor Nour Kreishan

Purpose: The Union St. Journal is the official online and print news source by and for the students of Cherry Creek High School. We are a student-run publication distributed to the students, faculty, and staff of Creek, and serve as an information source and two-way communication forum for both the school and community. We welcome guest opinion writers. Content does not necessarily represent the views of Cherry Creek High School or the Cherry Creek School District. Opinion articles do not necessarily represent the overall views of The Union St. Journal, Cherry Creek High School, or CCSD. Letters to the editor are accepted and can be submitted via email to creekusj@cherrycreekschools.org Letters may be edited for clarity.

news

PHOTO BY CARLY PHILPOTT

Le Départ: Declining Enrollment Threatens French Program “I’ve found that having started so early, I have certain instincts when it comes to speaking French, and I have a much Staff Writers our years after the COVID-19 better recall for vocabulary,” senior pandemic, Creek’s middle Eden Reavis said.

Creek’s French program normally inschools are finding themselves cludes French 1, 2, 3, 4, 3/4 Honors, AP forced to cut French programs due to Language and Culture (serving as level lack of teachers and enrolling students.

5), and Literature 6 Honors, but without When the pandemic started, many students being able to start French 2 in students switched to Elevation, an onhigh school, fewer students will make it line grade 6-12 school, where French to the higher level courses. wasn’t available. Although students and “I think what it’s going to affect is teachers have since returned to school, the types of classes we can offer bethe French program has not. It is uncause more students will start French available at Campus Middle School, in high school, and we may not be able and West Middle to continue ofSchool’s decline in fering a class like students enrolling “I am very sad and disthis [French Lit],” in French classappointed...A lot of the French teacher es means West Angela Moreen students tell me how much may soon lose its said.

French program they have learned in midFor West eighth too. dle school. ” grader Phoenix “I am very sad Zhang, findand disappointing out that the ed,” former CamFormer Campus French French program pus French teachTeacher Ludmila Bien was cutting down er Ludmila Bien its French 1B said via email. “A classes meant that lot of the students they weren’t able to advance and had to tell me how much they have learned in redo a year.

It was a shock, as their class middle school and what a great help it wasn’t informed until the beginning of was to them at high school.” this year.

The district’s middle school French “[T]hey only said that there weren’t program covers basic sentences – such enough people so they had to merge as greetings and responses – but even classes, ” Zhang said, “which meant that just simple phrases and words give a one class got pulled back for a year.” At fundamental introduction to the lanWest, sixth graders are currently unable guage.

BY ARAM BAZARIAN & MADDIE HART

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4 | News

to take French.

But the program isn’t entirely gone.

Next year, French teacher Jennifer Polland will be teaching a beginning French class for seventh grade, but the program is still at risk.

“It will all depend on how many students choose to start in seventh grade,” Polland said. “Maybe it will go back up to two sections, but my sense is that we may eventually lose it forever at West.”

Some French classes were cut in order to maintain other programs with more student interest.

“I have to make certain that I’m making the best decision for the school and the student learning experience,” Monica Garcia, West principal and former World Languages teacher, said. “It’s been a very hard decision, and one I don’t take lightly.”

If the enrollment rate continues to shrink, middle schools will likely be forced to cut the program and middle schoolers will no longer have the opportunities that students before them did.

“I have never experienced anything like [French class], and it’s one of my fondest middle school memories,” sophomore Kimaya Kini said. “It breaks my heart to hear that eighth graders won’t have that opportunity anymore.”

AU REVOIR: West and Creek French teacher Jennifer Polland introduces an assignment on April 27 to her 7th class of 10 students. French enrollment at West has been steadily declining ever since students have returned from online learning.

INFOGRAPHIC

BY PETER PHILPOTT & JONATHAN LEE

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CONGRESS

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elow a lighthearted surface of baking, dancing, and gaming, the US government believes that TikTok has a dark secret of data mining and sharing.

TikTok has shot up in popularity, with billions of global downloads. But recently, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before Congress where he had to respond to accusations relating to mental health, data security, and government influence.

The primary concern that many members of Congress expressed throughout the March 23 hearing was data mining: that TikTok was being used by the Chinese government to access user data such as location and browser history.

This sudden panic is a result of a law passed in China compelling all Chinese companies to cooperate with the government in cases involving national security. US Congress worries that the rule might force TikTok to share user data like browser histories and IP addresses.

According to the Chinese law, TikTok would be heavily fined if they didn’t comply, but Chew says that TikTok hasn’t been ordered to share data. Congress asked Chew if any content on TikTok was influenced by the Chinese government. He claimed that “TikTok will remain a place for free expression and will not be manipulated.”

Another major threat that social studies teacher Tom Michel is afraid of, is passwords and user information. “I did a seminar with my class…many of them have the same password for TikTok that they have for other apps,” Michel said. “One even admitted to

GE AN

News Editor & Asst. News Editor

me that their banking password and user ID was identical to the one that they use for TikTok.” When students use identical passwords for other sites, it could become a threat to alternative accounts, not just TikTok. But despite the government involvement with the social media app, many don’t agree with the congressional claims. “I don’t think all the accusations are true, but anything is possible,” freshman Jace Palmer said.

For other students, the controversy surrounding the app seems to echo a sentiment reminiscent of the fear that sparked anti-Asian hate in the early days of the COVID pandemic.

“While banning TikTok may seem like a measure for helping with national security…I don’t want to see another spike in Asian-American hate,” junior Jennifer Wen, a Chinese American, said.

Wen believes that when the government goes after a Chinese company, the public’s perspective is different than an attack on American social media. “Banning Facebook would be seen as infringing on freedom of speech or expression,” Wen said, “while banning TikTok may seem like a measure for helping with national security.”

Lawmakers at the hearing also questioned if TikTok is a threat to its users’ mental health due to social media addiction and exposure to inappropriate or dangerous content, particularly considering the app’s popularity and influence among teenagers.

Committee members argued that TikTok has a dark history of passively allowing users

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BY AMANDA CASTILLO-LOPEZ & PETER PHILPOTT

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Creek Responds to Potential TikTok Ban

to promote dangerous behavior with popular trends with little regulation from the app itself.

According to school psychologist Meli Holohan, conversations over banning the app are less productive than encouraging self-control and critical thinking – especially when it comes to trends.

She cited Devious Licks, a viral 2021 TikTok challenge, as an example of a trend where teenagers across the country have had to face repercussions for stealing or vandalizing.

“Just because someone posted a cool video about it on TikTok and kids all over the country might be doing this, they’re not showing you the disciplinary meetings, they’re not showing you the test they couldn’t take because they were suspended, they’re not showing you that they were up for expulsion,” Holohan said. “Being able to think beyond the video…to the potential outcomes, that’s a skill I’d rather focus on.”

STUDENTS

May 2023

news bites Students Suffer Seasonal Allergies Worse Than Ever Before

SOURCES: NEW YORK TIMES & COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Because of higher carbon emissions and climate change, tree and grass growth is boosted, increasing the amount of pollen in the air.

Since 1990, pollen season in North American lasts three weeks longer with 20% more pollen.

As spring rolls around, hay fever and seasonal allergies come with, affecting many Creek students. But studies show that seasonal allergies are getting worse every year.

“It happens a lot close to school since there are so many allergens. It’s gotten a lot worse as I’ve grown older.”

Senior Rachel Novak

“Usually I just get congested when the seasons change around spring and fall...but I actually got sick during Spring break and I had some insane headaches.”

Sophomore Addie McWilliams

INFOGRAPHIC BY PETER PHILPOTT

Creek’s Retires and Hires

BY MERON BANJAW Staff Writer

As teachers retire from Creek, several departments have hired new ones to take their place, for instance, Eric Gallagher for the Social Studies department. A full list of teachers retiring is on the USJ website.* *The World Language Department asked not to be included in this article.

“I just want to enjoy the weeks that are left…I’m excited about my next adventure. But I know that I probably will miss Creek, the people in our department, and I’ll miss working with kids.”

PE teacher Sally Moos, Creek teacher for 42 years “I’m very happy for the next chapter of my life. But I’m not leaving because I don’t want to be here. It’s just time for me to make a change.

I will definitely miss Creek.”

Science teacher Rae Lyn Young, Creek teacher for 30 years “I went to school here (2004-2008) and I want to rejoin the community that helped make me who I am and prepare me for life after high school.”

Future social studies teacher Eric Gallagher

6| News Bites

Creek Presents The Oregon Trail

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reek’s theatre program held their spring musical production of The Oregon Trail from April 27 to 29. The story follows the story of a teenage girl in the 1990’s and through to her experiences as an unemployed college grad.

Played by junior Becca Dwyer and sophomore Brooke Sax, Jane struggles with depression from middle school to adulthood and distracts herself by playing the popular 1971 video game ‘The Oregon Trail.’ In the game, her character also suffers through her depression when her family decides to move from Missouri to Oregon.

PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK

As the characters move through life together, they learn valuable lessons about how to keep moving forward.

“This play is extremely important regarding some current topics of our generation,” Dwyer said via text. “I think it really embodies how a person can feel with something like depression. I think it’s also really good to become aware of how something like that works and how people function due to it.”

- Editor in Chief Carly Philpott & Managing & Sports Editor Quinn Rudnick

features It Gives You Wings, But At What Cost?

Student Caffeine Addiction Real, Experts Say

BY JUDE GORDEN & SYDNEY SMITH Assistant Opinions Editor & Staff Writer

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uring his junior year, senior Na“The more you drink caffeine, the more than Krause would down his first tolerant your body and your brain become,” energy drink of the day only an school nurse Darcy Miccio Pace said. “Then hour after waking up. By fourth period, if you stop you’re going to have withdrawal he’d already be mid-crash. For him, that symptoms.” meant it was time for another.

When Creek teens get Starbucks on their “Excessive use of caffeine made it impos- off period, Miccio Pace worries they aren’t sible to get through the day without having aware of the amount of caffeine they’re actuany caffeine at all or taking a nap,” Krause ally consuming. The recommended caffeine said. dose for a teen is about 100-120 milligrams Krause wasn’t alone. Whether they’re per day, but a grande Starbucks Cold Brew chugging a venti Cold Brew from Starbucks has nearly 300 milligrams. or shotgunning a Red Bull, a lot of high “[Students’] heart rates are usually really schoolers suffer from caffeine dependency. high,” Miccio Pace said. They’re very irriAccording to the Natable, very jittery, tional Library of Medand really anxious.

“Teens are tired, drink caffeine Their central nericine, almost 90% of to stay awake, and then the caf- vous system is on people regularly consume caffeine, making feine can prevent them getting a overdrive, so their it the most widely used rate and good night of sleep, starting the heart drug in the world. blood pressure are whole cycle again. ” Students use caffeine going to be high because it works, but it too [especially after also has serious downdrinking caffeine].”

Dr. Sharon Sagel, Southeast sides.

The serious efDenver Pediatrics pediatrician fects associated “Teens are tired, drink caffeine to stay with large doses of awake, and then the caffeine are especaffeine can prevent them from getting a cially detrimental for teens, as their bodies good night of sleep, starting the whole cycle haven’t fully developed. again,” Dr. Sharon Sagel, a pediatrician at “If I drink too much caffeine, my hands Southeast Denver Pediatrics, said. start shaking because I have almost too Overconsumption of caffeine has become much energy, it keeps my brain awake but very casual, but this doesn’t take away from it also feels like it’s moving in 100 different its addictive properties. directions,” freshman Gabriela Hafley said. “[Caffeine] works to stimulate dopamine, According to Sagel, these symptoms are which is similar to amphetamines and oth- common among caffeine users, and the deer drugs such as cocaine or heroin,” Sagel sired effect of caffeine can be overshadowed said. “So someone who likes the buzz may be by these side effects. likely to look for it in other ways, especially “Caffeine is one of the most addicting if they have built up a tolerance to caffeine drugs to exist, especially because of how from frequent consumption.” cheap and accessible it is. Anyone can buy it.

Instead of giving up caffeine when it no high schoolers especially,” Krause said. longer has the desired effect, most people Krause was once drinking up to 800 miljust consume more, or turn to other drugs ligrams of caffeine daily. He believes this with the same goal, making caffeine a poten- wouldn’t have been possible if caffeine wasn’t tial gateway drug. both inexpensive compared to other drugs

and easily accessible. “[Caffeine dependency] is definitely an issue that needs more attention,” Krause said. “There are so many unforeseen consequences to this [issue] that most people don’t realize.”

INFOGRAPHIC BY WRYN DUEPRE

May 2023

Keogh, Knox Plan Their Next Steps more senator Kimaya Kini expressed the group’s appreciation for Keogh’s work.

Assistant News Editor “[Keogh is] one of the main sponsors of the fter a 25-year career and 17 Senate. She’s the reason we can do everyyears at Creek, activities direc- thing that we do,” Kini said. “She’s pulled tor Krista Keogh was promoted all nighters and it’s so important to her to to assistant principal this spring. show up. She is the heart of our family.”

Keogh has enjoyed the job in the activKeogh loves activities like Student ities department and is thrilled to use all Senate because of the opportunities she’s learned in her new position. “I am to work and collaborate with the stulooking forward to using my skill-set to dents in Creek’s after-school community. support teachers as they grow as leaders “I love working with kids. It has been my and learners,” Keogh said. “Creek teachers goal to increase participation in extracurricare the best. I am so excited to continue to ular activities, and to make sure all students work with them.” feel like they have a place at Creek,” Keogh Keogh’s goal as activities director was said. “I know that as I leave this role, not evalways to make students feel at home, even eryone is connected, but it is my hope that after school hours. She we have created more made a point to encouropportunities for all stuage athletic participadents at Creek.”

“I am looking forward tion and make advertisKeogh has spent the to using my skill-set ing clubs easy. majority of her career She has a special atat Creek, going there for to support teachers as tachment to her current high school, working leaders and learners.” job, not only because there for seven years as she has worked for years a science teacher, and on the campus, but also spending 10 years as the Activities Director because she has Bruin activities director, with Dr. Krista Keogh roots as a student, parthe exception of a stint ticularly in Creek’s choir as a Dean at West Midprogram. “When I went dle School. to Creek I was in Meistersingers, Jazz Choir, Like Keogh, retiring Assistant Principal and Creek 21,” Keogh said. “I also attempted Darren Knox also started as a science teachto play on the golf team.” er for Creek and has held the assistant prinAnd she’s able to passionately push for cipal job for 12 years. activities because of her outside-of-school “I’m very grateful and blessed to have the commitments to her own hobbies. “In my opportunity,” Knox free time I enjoy skiing, playing golf, walk- said. “I just ing my dogs, and traveling with my family,” want to Keogh enjoys Keogh said. “I have two dogs, Moseley and t h a n k hiking and skiing, Charlie.” realalong with going to Along with her work in l y, the beach. “I am a Colactivities, Keogh is also a coordinator for Student orado Native and Senate. Sophoenjoy all things ColoBY PETER PHILPOTT

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Keogh has two dogs, a a bernedoodle named Moseley (right), and a mini labradoodle named Charlie. “They are best friends,” she said.

all the faculty and staff that I have had the wonderful opportunity to work with. I would like to thank them and to wish them the best in their endeavors.”

Knox is looking forward to the free time and relaxation in his retirement, as he finishes up his 31 year career.

“I have given myself permission to just kind of get away from everything and spend more quality time with my family. Unfortunately, sometimes family has taken a bit of a backseat,” Knox said. “I’m eager to learn some new things and look at some of the hobbies that I have wanted to pick up.”

Knox is especially grateful to be able to spend so many years at one school, and he’s enjoyed every minute. “Creek is definitely going to hold a special place in my heart,” Knox said. “I’m just happy that I have had the opportunity to fulfill the vast majority of my career here.”

Keogh wants to continue her career by improving Creek through her assistant principal job, and she is excited to learn about the different type of administration. “I think many things at Cherry Creek are a well oiled machine,” Keogh said. “I will probably take my first year to see what is working before I try to make any drastic changes. My new role is very different from my current role, so I have a lot of learning to do.”

rado…especially the sunshine,” she said.

8 | Features INFOGRAPHIC BY PETER PHILPOTT

in-depth THE BREAKING POINT School shootings are only becoming more prevalent across America.

How do we respond?

BY CARLY PHILPOTT, QUINN RUDNICK & IZZY KRAUSS Editor-in-Chief, Managing & Sports Editor, Web Editor

Members of Denver East High School Students Demand Action march down 16th Street Mall away from the Colorado Capitol on April 29. East students hosted the protest to advocate for gun legislation, joined by other Students Demand Action chapters and community PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK

May 2023 2023 May

Shooting Threats Spark Anxiety in Many

BY IZZY KRAUSS

struggle with intense anxiety every time they enter the school .

“Lots of kids are on high alert,” East julways facing the doors. Hynior Bel Kales said. “Kids don’t feel safe. per-aware of all exits. Constant fear.

Kids are really saddened. [It’s hard to focus These are all normal behaviors that with] how unsafe I feel at school.”

STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting Since the Columbine shooting in 1999, survivor Lucy Sarkissian faces everyday. fear and anxiety surrounding school shootOn May 7, 2019, two shooters entered ings has grown significantly, and for many STEM School, less than 15 miles from students the Sandy Hook shooting of 2012 Creek, killing one person and injuring made it clear that these tragedies were not eight others. In the room across the hallisolated. way from the victim was 14-year-old SarkAccording to The Washington Post, over issian.

349,000 students have experienced gun The anxiety and fear surrounding shootviolence at school since Columbine. One ings and safety continues to affect Sarkiscould argue that the number of people imsian’s everyday life, even four years later. pacted by gun violence “Every single is significantly higher noise that happens “I’m just sad that this is because of the constant is an evaluation of media attention it rethe culture you guys have to ‘is that a gunshot? tains. live in and that it’s someIs that a door slam?

“As I grew up, I beIs that a book getthing that unfortunately came more aware [of gun ting dropped?’” [students are] becoming violence’s presence] but Sarkissian said. accustomed to. ” it’s always been kind of “There’s this conin the back of my mind,” stant evaluation said junior Nandita Nair, that’s become so Dr. Lisa Geissler Creek Students Demand normalized in my Action president. “I do life.” remember my first exAccording to the perience I had with [school shootings] was Gun Violence Archive, since the beginning when [I was] the same age as the kids who of January 2023, there have been over 18 were victims of Sandy Hook. ” school shootings in the U.S., killing five After Sandy Hook, many protocols were people under the age of 18. put in place to help prevent more incidents At Denver East High School, two administrators, Eric Sinclair and Jerald Ma- of gun violence within schools. “[The] adults are doing their best to keep son, were injured in an on-campus shootthe school safe,” Creek psychologist Dr. ing that left Sinclair in critical condition.

Lisa Geissler said.

Just three weeks prior, 16-year-old student The irony is that some of the precautions Luis Garcia was killed in a drive-by shootand protocols put in place, including locking near campus. downs and SROs on campus, can cause Over a month later, many students still more anxiety.

Web & Opinions Editor

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10 | In-Depth

According to Chicago’s Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, the presence of SROs generally increases students’ fear and can negatively impact their perceptions of safety.

According to the National Conference of Legislators, in the 2015-2016 school year, about 42% of all public schools reported having an SRO or other school security personnel present on school grounds for at least one week during the school year. Even with increased security there has been little evidence to show that increased police presence makes the campuses any safer.

Following the short-term effects of gun violence on students, there are also many potential long term effects such as depression, PTSD, and substance abuse. “[I’m still] not comfortable going to a high school,” Sarkissian said. “It’s more than just anxiety. I was officially diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder less than six months after the shooting.”

Despite the anxiety and fear, these recurring events have caused gun violence in schools to become the new “normal.”

“I’m just sad that this is the culture you guys have to live in and that it’s something that unfortunately [students are] becoming accustomed to,” Geissler said.

Students are learning to live in constant fear.

“It’s not a problem of if it happens to us, it’s when it happens to us,” Nair said. “It’s almost inevitable.”

NEW REGULATIONS: Denver mayoral candidate Mike Johnston speaks during a protest about gun violence on April 29. Johnston spoke about recent gun-control legislation signed into law by praising its historic standing. “I think they are historic successes that have been led by historic organizing efforts by moms and students who came out and demanded action,” Johnston said. “They delivered the most significant package reform in 10 years. That’s a huge accomplishment for the state.”

BY THE NUMBERS

349,000

Students, approximately, have experienced gun violence at school since Columbine, according to the Washington Post.

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PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK

Some Turn Fear Into Activism

BY CARLY PHILPOTT Editor-in-Chief

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or so many gun control advocates, the story is the same: one shooting, one gun death, one victim’s face made them sure that they had to take action.

In 2018, after the Jan. 23 Marshall County High School shooting, teacher and mother Abbey Winter had this epiphany.

“I remember just being struck by one of the pictures of the victim, a 15-year-old, and at that time, my little girl was about a year and a half,” Winter said. “I said to myself, “I have x number of years before she is in high school or middle school. And I need to do something about this because…children are dying in their schools.”

The victim that Winter recalls, Bailey Nicole Holt, was killed when a shooter opened fire in the open common areas at her school.

Later, Holt’s mom said Holt was on the phone with her as the shooting occurred, but was unable to talk, according to CBS News.

After that, Winter joined Colorado Moms Demand Action, a statewide chapter of the national organization of parents advocating for gun violence. She rose quickly to Colo-

rado Chapter Lead in summer of 2019. She’s held the position since.

“Our strength, both statewide and nationally, is our advocacy with our legislators and through lawmaking,” Winter said. “We’ve been very successful, not only in passing ‘good’ gun bills and stronger gun regulations, but also in stopping ‘bad’ gun bills.”

By building relationships with legislators at all levels, lobbying, organizing rallies, and educating the public, Moms Demand Action has successfully pushed gun legislation across the nation. It’s the perfect example of activism that comes from built-up pressure and fear: it was founded shortly after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting by a mother of five, Shannon Watts, who sought to connect Americans in preventing gun violence.

And for Winter, it’s personal on multiple levels.

“My first year in the classroom was the year that Sandy Hook happened,” she said.

“I remember next year we were in a lockout, or secure perimeter. I had seven first graders just sobbing, because they had seen the coverage of Sandy Hook.”

Article continues on following page.

Shootings on school campuses since 1999, according to the Washington Post.

279

Deaths in school shootings between December 2012 and December 2022, according to BBC.

647

Mass shootings in 2022, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

69

People who have died in mass shootings nationwide since we began working on this article on March 23, 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

36 People injured or killed in a mass shooting at a sixteenth birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama, on April 15, the largest shooting so far in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

DATA IS AS OF APRIL 30, 2023 INFOGRAPHIC BY CARLY PHILPOTT

May 2023

ART FOR CHANGE: Creek Students Demand Action (SDA) members make signs during a morning meeting April 26 for a protest with other SDA chapters from the Denver area. The protest happened outside the Capitol on April 29.

Winter still works as a reading interventionist in Aurora Public Schools. Her sixyear-old daughter, who Winter says knows more about the issue than most other kids her age due to her “proximity” to Winter’s work, has had experiences of her own in school, too.

“Their school went on accidental lockdown, someone just accidentally hit the button,” Winter said. “When I asked her about it later, she said, ‘My heart was beating really fast, but I was okay.’ Even that, which was an accident, anyone can hit an extra button, I was thinking, ‘we only have those buttons available because of this reality.’”

Winter, along with many other Moms Demand Action volunteers, has worked with students on gun activism.

This year, on March 3, Colorado Moms Demand Action’s Advocacy Day at the Colorado State Capitol fell on the same day as a walkout for Denver East High School students, who had just lost a student in a shooting outside their school.

At the time, Winter said she was impressed by how “passionate they are, and how much they want to get across the message that this is not normal.”

“Because we can make a difference,” she said. “And I know that they can and I know that we already have.”

Since its founding last semester, East Students Demand Action (SDA) has already seen two shootings on campus – one was of the student, Luis Garcia, in February, and the other was of two administrators inside the building on March 22. This school year,

12 | In-Depth

In addition to expanding the Red Flag Law to allow healthcare providers, educators, mental health professionals, and district attorneys to confiscate guns when someone is indicating they may use the weapons to harm themselves or others, Kini mentioned banning assault weapons as an important step to preventing gun violence in schools. Winter strongly agreed.

“An assault-style weapon really puts the ‘mass’ in mass shooting,” PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK Winter said. “It has a high capacity.

It’s able to kill a lot of people in a they’ve walked out multiple times, met with short time. And so there’s no coincilegislators and candidates, and attended gun dence why it continues to show up in these club and school board meetings, according mass shootings as the gun that is used.” to East SDA founding member sophomore Colorado State Representative Elisabeth Noah Shurz.

Epps and State Senator Rhonda Fields introShurz said SDA is important for “having duced a bill this session to ban assault weapa place where we can all talk about our fears ons, but it was voted down by the House and how we want to help tackle the problem.” Judiciary Committee in the early hours of East SDA has spent multiple days in the April 20.

Colorado State Capitol meeting with legisla“We know that this work is a marathon, tors outside chambers and offices. not a sprint. While the vote didn’t result in “I think we’ve influenced some legislators the outcome we had hoped for, we raised to look at things in a awareness and built different perspective,” power,” Winter said East sophomore and via text. “Gun violence “I need to do something SDA member Ali Sitprevention has eviabout this because… tiseri said. denced-based solutions Creek has its own in which [the assault children are dying in chapter of SDA, foundweapons ban] is a piece. their schools.” ed by junior Nandita We will continue to Nair and sophomores work with [the] legisKimaya Kini and Agnes Colorado Moms Demand lators and community Holena. They work to to pass common sense Action Chapter Lead connect members with laws that reduce gun Abbey Winter networks of advocacy, violence and save lives.” including other SDA Regardless of the chapters, and Kini testioutcome, Kini still befied at the Capitol for an extended version of lieves that activism is well worth it in the face the Red Flag Law. of gun violence.

“There were a lot of people from Moms “We’re this new generation. A lot of times Demand Action…who were there to support our legislators are older people, or they come you,” Kini said. “But sometimes it’s hard to from very old ideologies,” Kini said. “And be around some of those Senators and Rep- that’s not what we need right now. We’re the resentatives who are just so against it. And ones being impacted. We’re the ones getting even when you bring the perspective of ‘I’m shot at, not the representatives sitting in scared to walk into school every day,’ the fact their safe offices.” that they don’t care, it’s just really hard.”

Colorado Legislators Advocate For Gun Control Policy significantly less urgency than bills like 169 and 170. House Bill 23-1230, a bill that ver the course of the Colorado would have banned the sale or transfer of legislative legal session, state law- assault weapons in Colorado, failed in the makers have passed a heavy pack- democratic-majority House judiciary comage of gun control bills, most of which in- mittee on early April 20 after a 6-7 vote.

During the 14-hour hearing, 300 people clude regulations surrounding licensing, testified either for or against the bill, aiming age restrictions, and waiting periods after to communicate their support or concerns purchasing. The state has treated these bills to the representatives that would vote on it with extreme urgency, especially following a afterwards. major upswing in mass shootings and gun “I’ve long said that Democrats weren’t violence across the country. serious about a statewide ban on assault Bills that worked to increase regulations weapons.

If we fail, I was right. I want to surrounding gun purchases, like Senate Bill be wrong,” 1230’s prime sponsor Demo23-169, which raises the minimum age to crat Representative purchase a firearm to Elisabeth Epps said 21 years, and Senate during the opening By preventing early access to Bill 23-170, which of 1230’s hearing. guns and working to protect extends extreme risk Despite Epps’ and protection order educators with extreme risk other testimonials, availability, all came protection availability, Colthere were many after a mass shooting who did not support orado lawmakers are atat an LGBTQ+ club in 1230. Austin Hein, mid-November and tempting to set the state up to director of political two shootings involvprevent mass shootings. operations for the ing Denver East High National Association School in late Februfor Gun Rights, arary and March. gued that gun control bills would not proThese laws will work to align Colorado tect civilians. “[A semiautomatic ban] will with other anti-gun violence strongholds, leave law-abiding citizens defenseless to the like California and Washington state. By alarming rise of violent crime caused by the preventing early access to guns and workprogressive criminal justice reform,” he said. ing to protect educators with extreme risk On April 28, Democratic Governor Jared protection availability, Colorado lawmakers Polis signed four gun control bills into law, are attempting to set the state up to prevent two of which work to increase the security mass shootings. around gun purchasing. The other bills beHowever, some of the most recent gun ing signed extend extreme risk protection regulation proposals have been met with

BY QUINN RUDNICK

Managing & Sports Editor

O

to educators, and allow for firearm industries to be held liable for the misuse of their weapons.

Colorado has long been a fierce protector of gun violence victims, and following the recent increase in mass shootings, most lawmakers have made it clear that it is their goal to continue to work towards preventing gun violence, despite the issue being a divisive subject between them.

RECENT COLORADO GUN LEGISLATION

SB23-168

Senate bill 168 will make it easier for victims of gun violence to sue firearm manufacturers for misuse of their weapons.

HB23-1219

House bill 1219 will establish a three-day waiting period for the delivery of a firearm following its purchase.

SB23-170

Senate bill 170 extends an extreme risk protection order to licensed educators, providing teachers with a higher level of gun violence protection.

SB23-169

Senate bill 169 will extend the minimum age to purchase a firearm in Colorado to twenty-one years of age.

LEFT: Representative Bob Marshall (D-HD43) watches Representative Epps’ opening statement for HB1230 on April 19. 1230 would have banned the sale and transfer of assault weapons in Colorado, but failed 6 - 7 on April 20.

PHOTO BY CARLY PHILPOTT

INFOGRAPHIC BY QUINN RUDNICK DATA AS OF APRIL 27

May 2023

sports

Boys’ Volleyball Fights Through Rebuilding Year

BY CARLY PHILPOTT Editor-in-Chief

14 | Sports

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Senior middle blocker Ian Van Hare (#14) hypes up the team circle before the Pac the Place home game versus Grandview on March 28. The team, under the leadership of senior captains Lukas Rhoades (#12) and Zack Filene (#10), as well as other seniors, has worked hard to build community after 60% of the team graduated last season.

“I would say the most important part of this season was connecting with each other and figuring out different positions, because myself included, we all were playing different positions [this year],” Filene said.

PHOTO BY CARLY PHILPOTT

he 2022 season had a bittersweet end for boys’ volleyball. Going into state playoffs ranked first, Creek finished in second place, losing to Discovery Canyon.

“We definitely wanted more going into the state finals ranked first,” senior captain and outside hitter Zack Filene said. “There was a pressure on us to win. I would say that I’m content with second. But I definitely wanted to win.”

But the 2022 finale was also difficult for a bigger reason: six seniors were leaving out of the ten-person team. Losing the six seniors was difficult, according to head coach Cara Quayle.

“There were probably four or five [team] leaders [among] those seniors, if not all six of them,” Quayle said. Both captains last year were also seniors. “All the players on the team had known each other for a while, and so there was leadership, but there was also a comfortable feeling because they were used to playing together.”

This year, the new seniors, including Filene and his co-captain, Lukas Rhoades, have stepped up to preserve that feeling as much as possible.

“We all had the same mindset coming into the season, which was grow the kids that didn’t play varsity last year and develop as a team,” Filene said. “I would say the most important part of this season was connecting with each other and figuring out different positions, because myself included, we all were playing different positions [this year].”

Quayle believes that Rhoades and Filene have both stepped up and become strong team leaders in what she refers to as a “rebuilding year.”

“I see both of them talking to other players on the court about who the hitters on the other side are, about where to be – they’re just always talking,” Quayle said. “The new players really respect them. I can tell [the team] that we’re making progress, but I think it means more to the team when they hear it from Lukas and Zack.”

Freshman libero Noah Reynolds, the only one of his year on the varsity team, also said that Rhoades and Filene have been quintessential in building his season.

“Lukas and Zack have helped me navigate my first year of high school and especially my first year on the team,” Reynolds said via text. “They have both shown me how Creek Men’s volleyball works, and it’s been really fun.”

Following a loss against Eaglecrest, and then an away win against Highlands Ranch,

who they well outranked, Creek swept thentwo seed Bear Creek in their first home match of the season.

“There was just a lot of adrenaline and… positive energy. Because we were excited that we could beat a team like that,” Quayle said. “Once you beat a team like that, that creates confidence. But there’s also a sense of wanting to recreate that. And so with the losses we’ve had, we’ve talked about wanting to learn from that…we did some good things, but we need to be able to recreate that, right?”

In the next ten games, Creek went 5-5.

“I think we just want to be in a better position,” Filene said on April 13. “Because if we made state right now we would be playing a top team. Right now we’re just looking forward to moving up in the rankings and trying to play a team more our skill level than playing the top five teams.”

Regardless of ranking, Quayle doesn’t want to count the team out. It may be a younger team this year, but anything can happen. “There can be a lot of upsets in volleyball. The lower-seeded team can beat the higher-seeded team any day,” she said.

“They’re learning, they’re improving, and they’re learning how to work together as a team better each day. So if we keep doing that, we can do some good things.”

Reynolds said that he hopes that “our team fights for every game, set, and point,” adding that he believes they are capable of making state.

Since becoming a CHSAA-sanctioned sport in 2019, boys’ volleyball has grown exponentially. 2022 was the first year Quayle had to cut anyone after tryouts, and she says there’s a possibility Creek will have four teams next year.

But even though it’s growing and becoming more competitive, Filene values the community that volleyball has brought him and his teammates, this year and previously.

And he believes that regardless of the outcome of this season, and regardless of what the team looks like next year, that community will continue to thrive. He says Creek volleyball “is one of the better places to be” at the school.

“I’d say for anyone who’s looking for…a positive sport, or looking to transition to a sport – I’d say volleyball is a really great sport to do that with,” he said. “I played [soccer] for a while and transitioning to volleyball was probably one of the better decisions I’ve made during high school.”

May 2023

Girls’ Soccer Looks to Championship

BY QUINN RUDNICK Managing & Sports Editor

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reek girls’ varsity soccer has been playing well all season and holds an overall 6-5 win record as of April 30. The team has consistently lost their opportunity to play in the championship for the last 10 years, but after building up a series of wins, the team is ready to try again, and are hoping to secure a title.

“I always have [the championship] in mind. I think we have a team that could upset some teams and people. My goal is to take one game at a time and work our way towards getting there,” sophomore forward (#15) Tianna Chambers said.

PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK

ABOVE: Sophomore midfielder Addison Ball (#8) and senior defenseman Nikayla Sullivan (#5) fight for control of the ball during a game against Grandview on April 18. Creek won the match 3-1.

CELEBRATING SENIORS

PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK

CREEK DOMINATES OVERLAND Varsity player junior midfielder Casey Tadlock (#11) passes the ball to a teammate. Creek played Overland on Tuesday, April 11, winning 12-1. The win came as no surprise; Creek was ranked higher than Overland in all categories, with a 4-3 overall win record as opposed to Overland’s 2-8. The win was a comeback for Creek, coming after two losses to Fossil Ridge and Mullen the week before. During the 2022 spring season, Creek also beat Overland, but it was an even bigger feat, beating Overland 12-0. “Overland is not the strongest of teams, but it is always nice to score as many goals as possible for our standing in 5A and our rating percentage index,” Tadlock said.

16 | Sports

PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK

Junior Casey Tadlock (#11) and senior Maisy Meissner (#17) embrace during senior night celebrations on Tuesday, April 11. The varsity soccer team hosted senior night to recognize the graduating players’ achievements both in and out of the team, speaking about their extracurriculars and other sports as well as where each senior would be attending college. Of the 24-person team, seven players are graduating.

Tianna Chambers Finds Comfort and Conflict in Sport To Tianna, basketball was much more diverse and felt more like a family while Chief Sports Photographer playing soccer she felt more pressure to play ianna Chambers used to sit perfectly. alone at the lunch table, but “I heard things like, ‘Is she gonna make that changed when she showed the team? Is she good enough?’ From people I didn’t even know. I just ignored it and what she could do as an athlete.

The feeling of being different and left out thought ‘I’m gonna do [my thing] and play started when Tianna’s family, who are mixed the sport that I love,’” Tianna said.

Despite obstacles of fitting in and dealing Panamanian and American, moved into the district. “She sat by herself in the cafeteria or with people’s misconceptions about her race, if she sat at a table, kids would get up and Tianna has persevered through her career, and has built up a long history of competleave,” her mom, Nicholle Chambers, said. ing in basketball and Tianna still strugsoccer. gles with fitting in Tianna has played at Creek, especial“Most of the girls were welsoccer and basketly when she startcoming. It’s just that I wish ball since she was ed playing soccer at there were more people of two, and played both Creek. “Most of the sports in a competgirls were welcoming. color.” itive club in kinderIt’s just that I wish garten. Because she there were more peoSophomore Tianna dedicates so much ple of color,” Tianna time to her athletics, Chambers said. “There weren’t Tianna often strugmany girls that gles with the balance looked like me.”

Throughout her athletic career at Creek, of academics and athletics. With school and Tianna has relied on encouragement from multiple practices per day, from start to finher parents. “When she does training with ish there’s not much time for anything else. “I me I force her to say affirmations about her- just have to figure out how to do homework self. This is still implemented in our work- and stay up. It’s rough,” Tianna said.

Tianna has deep connections with her outs,” Nicholle said.

Tianna often works to appreciate her brother Trevon Chambers, a senior at Creek, identity, especially with support from her who also plays varsity basketball. “We’re mother. “From a young age and my children pretty close, it’s really gonna suck when he being mixed ethnicities I wanted to make has to leave [for college],” she said.

Nicholle clearly sees the connection besure they were proud of where they come from. I always told her to love her curls, skin, et cetera,” Nicholle said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA D’AMBROSIA

BY MARIE WEBSTER

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THE GAME: Sophomore Tianna Chambers (#15) plays against Mullen on April 6.

Creek lost the game 4 - 3.

tween her children. “They have so much love for each other and push each other to do better,” she said.

The siblings have lots of support from their parents. “Sometimes they can be really hard on us, but that’s what makes us who we are today. They’ve made us such good people, and good players and taught us how to be good teammates,” Tianna said.

She attributes her parents’ support to their own collegiate athlete careers. Her dad, Joshua Chambers, is from Panama and played on the national basketball team for several years. Her mom had an opportunity to play both volleyball and basketball at University of California, Los Angeles, but chose basketball.

Tianna also accredits her success to the familial feel between her teammates on the soccer and basketball teams. The current girls’ basketball team is very close and have played with each other for multiple years.

“Some teams have issues, [but] not us. We’re never yelling at each other on the court, we always support each other,” Tianna said.

She attributes a lot of this to their former head coach, Clinton Evans, who resigned in early April. “He supports me a lot for doing both sports. He just made me a better player and person. I really look up to him and it sucks that he has to leave,” Tianna said.

Evans says the respect is mutual. “She plays as hard as she can all the time and plays with so much heart that she makes it impossible not to respect her,” he said. “She is an incredibly special person and I was blessed to have coached her.”

May 2023

USJ Predicts Summer Fits...

BY NOUR KREISHAN & GILLIAN NEALE

a&e

Video Editor & Asst. Opinions Editor

Vintage Sunglasses Aside from the occasional jumbo goggles meant to get a laugh, among high schoolers, sunglasses haven’t been appreciated as a statement accessory.

This summer, these sunglasses will not only deflect Colorado’s excruciatingly bright sunshine, but also reflect how fashionable you are.

Long Skirt It’s official. The ’70s are back in. Throw on these bottoms to give an effervescent, effortless look.

Jorts They’re not just for Adam Sandler anymore: Jorts are comfortable, stylish, bold, and versatile. Jorts are for the farmers’ market, thrift store, and courageous knees. Less suffocating than normal jeans and more stylish than gym shorts, jorts are a staple that deserve to take over this summer.

Windbreaker

Fanny Pack

18 | A&E

From sunscreen to water balloons, you can’t be caught unprepared. Fanny packs: both functional and cute.

Button-Up

With Colorado’s unpredictable weathThe frat boy look is out, and chic barer, it’s nearly impossible to stay combecue dad is in. You could be flipping fortable throughout the day, let alone burgers or grumbling about the HOA, to look good. Windbreakers are practibut a loose, open button-up will alcal and cozy, so you don’t need to sacways take your outfit from lifeless to rifice warmth for style on those unexclassy. pected breezy days.

PHOTOS BY NOUR KREISHAN, GILLIAN NEALE, AND GABBY SCHROCK

and Summer Hits

BY KATYA ROUDAKOV A&E Editor

Unstoppable Daniel Caesar GETTY IMAGES

Princess Diana feat. Nicki Minaj Ice Spice GETTY IMAGES

Ice Spice is taking over the world. She’s hijacked for you pages and minds alike: “Boy’s a liar Pt. 2” and “In Ha Mood” are earworms with a combined 400+ million streams on Spotify — Spice is a bona fide pop culture icon. There’s nothing that can establish a rising star’s place like a big feature, a sign of respect and faith from a genre legend, and no one was more perfect for Ice Spice than Nicki Minaj.

When such an iconic artist gets their hands on a song, even if it was released months ago, they breathe an entirely new life into it. Minaj had fun with her verse, opening it with “I be eating my spinach” and rapping a few bars in a posh British accent. Spice’s energy infects everything, and summer isn’t summer without a bouncy, rowdy hype song.

Soundtrack to Summer ’23

SCAN THE SPOTIFY CODE TO ACCESS THE FULL PLAYLIST

Sometimes, all there is to do is cruise with the windows down while the sky turns indigo. In those moments, you don’t need a pop hit or a thrashy head-banger. You need “Unstoppable” by Daniel Caesar. He puts a reggae spin on chill R&B, and laid-back production creates a lush, beachy ambiance that oozes relaxation and peace.

Nothing Matters The Last Dinner Party DORK

“Nothing Matters” is the first single from British girl band The Last Dinner Party, an eccentric pop hit complete with guitar solo, horns, and a shoutable chorus. This is the kind of song you scream in the car, the kind of song you can have fun with, the perfect song to grab your summer by the horns and get over the funk of the past year.

A punchy, treble-boosted drumbeat marches this track forward, complemented by lead singer Abigail Morris’ unique, swooping voice, and it’s hard not to get lost in the groove. It builds to a big trumpet-forward, doubletime final chorus with fun vocal riffs, and if this is any indication of the quality of their music, The Last Dinner Party won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

May 2023

opinions

Catcalling Cuts Deep Many Girls’ Identities are Needlessly Shaped by Objectification no one helps of mine. What scares me the most is With women being forced to connot that I might be abused. It’s that Editor-in-Chief front aggressive and pushy men who I might one day believe that it’s what reedy leering eyes stared only view them as their bodies, of I deserve. And I’m terrified that if I down at me as I left Theater course we are defensive to ward off don’t constantly combat everything 16. I needed the bathroom. unwanted advances. Of course we are that makes me feel uncomfortable, And even after coming to that same going to comI’m weak for movie theater many times, I forgot plain and be giving up. Like where it was. A normal 13-year-old’s upset about I’m allowing mistake. being viewed myself to be I turned out of the theater and as nothing abused. saw three teenage boys standing. Just more than Now, being standing. It wasn’t any of my busi- boobs and a older, I’ve reness. pretty face. alized it’s not of teenage girls and young I looked around, trying to orient Junior Camy fault that women reported being the myself after being in a room with no rissa Pomeroy men stare at victim of sexual harassment light for an hour. has experime grossly.

“I’m in love with you,” one enced catcallIt’s theirs. But HARVARD SCHOOL OF EDUCATION of them said. Bewilderment shot ing for years. that maturithrough my eyes.

But it did more than just make her ty took time for both Pomeroy and “Let me buy you something,” said uncomfortable. “I can remember the me. “I never think about what [men] another. The third boy started laugh- first time I got catcalled, very vividly,” think of me anymore because I’m not ing, the way someone does when she said. “I felt gross. Like my day was searching for that,” she said. a teacher makes a bad joke. “The ruined.”

For now though, I have to work bathroom is that way,” he said while That Theater 16 experience is not with my own mental barriers, beyond pointing to my right. I walked to the unique to me. Many young girls feel hostility. Now when I get catcalled, I bathroom. that level of upset that Pomeroy ex- question the attackers’ morality and I did my best not to cry, I had a plains, whether it be blatant or more reiterate that the blame is not mine. whole other half of a movie to watch. nuanced.

But there is another way to combat Their words kept ringing in my head.

My catcalling may seem minuscule this epidemic. It starts with our parWhat had I done to allow them to cat- to some. Like it wasn’t a real catcall ents. Pomeroy’s habit of focusing on call so openly? because I wasn’t called sexy, or egre- her body didn’t appear one day. They What those who make comments giously hit on. But for me, it was my were taught by her mom. “Even from like these fail to understand is that first real initiation into girlhood. a young age, when I was a kid, my catcalling For most mom was talking about my looks all goes beyond girls, catcall- the time,” she said. just giving a My catcalling may seem ing begins at When our parents place such imcompliment. very young portance on our looks, or covering minuscule to some. Like it It is a harsh ages, but that up our bodies, or “shielding” ourwasn’t a real catcall because commentar y doesn’t mean selves from boys, it signifies someI wasn’t called sexy, or egreon our bodies, it’s less aggres- thing more than just protection. that reminds sive or disgustIt embeds in us a sense that our giously hit on. But for me, it us that we are ing. bodies come first, to everyone, and was my first real initiation our appear“When I we, the victims, must change our beinto girlhood. ances first, evwas 12 I got haviors to not allure attackers. erything else catcalled all the It is beyond time for our parents second. time, on walks. to recognize their part in raising And because our looks are wea- It was all the time,” Pomeroy said. disgusting men – and submissive ponized against us, with our fathers These experiences change women. daughters – and it is our unfortunate telling us to cover up and our teach- For Pomeroy, her entire mindset responsibility to teach boys our age ers complaining that we are distract- evolved over the years, molded by the that catcalling goes beyond a weird ing, girls are already hyper-aware of constant commentary on her body. compliment. It breaks down our very the space they take up. When this “No matter if it was some creepy souls as women, and pushes us deepjeering perspective is given by strang- guy, or some kid my age. I liked it. er into the self-hating hole our parers to young girls, it feels like being And I wanted it,” she said. ents dug for us. stabbed while everyone watches, and Pomeroy brings up a personal fear

BY ALEX GRIBB

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20 | Opinions

87 %

“GIVE ME A SMILE!”

“I LOVE YOU”

“HEY GORGEOUS!”

The catcalling young women must endure cuts deep, as it makes girls question their own identity.

PHOTO AND ART BY ALEX GRIBB

May 2023 January 2023

Teenage Nicotine Addiction Needs Honest Conversation

BY CAEL CLANCY Assistant Sports Editor

I

t’s no secret that teen nicotine addiction is a nationwide epidemic.

We experience it daily. Walking into bathrooms and smelling that fruity flavor. Looking into car windows and seeing clouds of smoke rise. Watching your friend leave class to hit their vape in the bathroom.

You may think it’s crazy that so many people are hooked, but in reality, it’s completely expected. Nicotine is an addictive drug, and it’s no surprise people are dependent.

The real problem: no one knows how to combat it.

Cigarettes had the same story. It’s been proven by thousands of medical studies and trials that they have horrible long term effects on your body and lungs. The American Cancer Society labeled lung cancer a “rare disease” prior to the 1900s. After mass production and consumption of cigarettes, by 1950, it was the most common cancer diagnosis in American men.

But it wasn’t until 1986 that smoking was officially regarded as harmful, in the 19th Surgeon General Report. 37 years later, we have multiple laws requiring warning labels on cigarette boxes, countless smokefree campaigns, and a nationwide effort to eliminate cigarette consumption. And while today 23% of the American popula-

tion smokes cigarettes, it’s a lot fewer than sion, explains that efforts are being made, the 45% of the population that smoked in and although the state is funding programs 1954. like UPrise and Forward Together, most The reality is, we can’t wait that long efforts locally are left to school administrawith vapes. tors.

Vaping itself is young, like its users, That same junior doesn’t feel the relathaving been around for less than a decade. ability these programs try to create. “An orLittle data have come out proving that ganization doesn’t know my personal life, people who vape for 10 or more years are I feel like schools and organizations don’t more likely to contract lung cancer. So the relate well to individuals,” they said. question arises, how do we convince young With students unable to derail daily habpeople that what they are doing is actually its, and an impossible task created for our bad, not just probably bad? school administrators, the solution to the The short answer is, we don’t. It’s natu- problem is still unclear. Even if bathrooms ral that young people want are monitored, and peer to do things they shouldn’t. pressure is felt from all Students have to beKids hate being told what directions, students will lieve that what they to do, whether it’s their parstill find a way, and a ents or some doctor. Add reason, to vape. are doing is wrong, that feeling of rebellion to “Suffering from a and they simply the chemical addiction to health issue or incident won’t until it’s right nicotine, and it means we would really be what it are fighting a war we altakes to convince me to in front of them. ready lost. permanently stop,” said “The hardest part is that the same junior. it’s not just an addiction any more. Vaping Students have to believe that what they is now a part of my everyday routine. Ev- are doing is wrong, and they simply won’t ery morning, throughout the day, while I’m until it’s right in front of them. Kids need driving, before bed, and at parties,” one ju- to be shown real evidence of the harms of nior said. This person’s real name has been vaping, but according to Cancer Research withheld to protect their privacy.

UK, there is not enough evidence of the The junior went on to explain that no real damages of vaping, since it is so new. one in their life has remotely pressured We can’t stop vaping. But we can try to them to quit. They felt no pressure from stop digging our own graves. A conversatheir peers that what they were doing was tion with a friend may be uncomfortable, wrong. but those awkward, hard conversations Chelsea Andrews, a representative for could be life-saving. the Colorado Preventative Services Divi-

“If I [vape] for a couple of years, it’s not going to kill me. I’m surrounded by it right now, so its pretty hard to quit.”

ART

Anonymous Junior

BY A

NGE L

AX

22 | Opinions and Staff Editorial

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“I don’t vape because it’s highly addictive and it’s a massive waste of money. ” Anonymous Sophomore

It Was Never About Protecting Kids

STAFF-EDITORIAL

New Republican-sponsored legislation hurts instead of helps children

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onservative lawmakers have been invested in a policy of supposedly “protecting children” for a long time, but recent laws and regulations, including anti-transgender healthcare bans and the reduction of child labor laws, all seem to be doing the exact opposite.

The Republican party has rooted itself in an idea of protecting children, using that as the basis for creating some of its harshest legislation, but most recent legislation has rapidly stripped away children and their families’ rights to expression, healthcare, and self-management.

One of the largest groups that Republican lawmakers are targeting is transgender kids, specifically those in grades K-12.

So far in this legislative session, lawmakers across the country have introduced 434 bills that restrict trans healthcare, education, and expression, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Many healthcare bans that are being passed prevent a trans adolescent from being able to receive gender affirming care whatsoever, despite possibly already having received extensive therapy.

According to the National Library of Medicine, 82% of transgender individuals in the U.S. have considered killing themselves and 40% have attempted suicide. Without gender affirming healthcare, many trans

people feel so uncomfortable in their bodies legislation has also started to attack the parthat they consider suicide or self-harm. By ents of trans children. A new Florida bill stripping away access to gender-affirming would allow the state to remove children healthcare, conservatives toy with increas- from their parents’ care if they were to reing suicide rates within the trans communi- ceive gender affirming hormones. However, ty. Even while they veil themselves with an 57% of Americans view political attacks on idea of protecting children, Republicans are families with trans children as a major probkilling them with new laws instead. lem and only 15% believe it’s not a problem While Republicans work towards strip- at all, according to a Fox News poll. Despite ping away trans rights, some states like the fact that Republicans believe they have Iowa are also adamant the moral high ground in tearing down existing over trans issues, politics Republicans are eslaws that prevent unfair that attack queer people child labor, claiming that are not popular. sentially working tohaving middle school Republicans defend wards systematically aged children work overthis bill and others by eliminating an entire time is a good “learning claiming that gender afgroup of people. experience.” But by introfirming healthcare would ducing younger children have long-term, negative to the workforce, Republieffects on children. Howcans are endangering kids by increasing the ever, most beginner procedures, like puberpossibility of work-related injuries, or even ty blockers, do not have long term effects, deaths, according to the Associated Press. negating their argument.

Even while targeting child labor, ReBy implementing legislation that targets publicans have also gone past restricting both trans kids and adults, Republicans are care for minors. On April 13, Republican essentially working towards systematicalMissouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey ly eliminating an entire group of people. announced an emergency regulation that Current legislation like gender affirming would restrict gender transitioning health- healthcare bans as well as reduced proteccare for both adults and minors, abandon- tions around child labor laws do not protect ing the original supposed goal of protecting children and instead serve to create dangerkids. ous environments for queer kids and their Aside from targeting trans adults, recent families.

ANTI-TRANS BILLS INTRODUCED IN EACH STATE

Anti-trans epidemic: Over the last few years, most states have introduced some type of anti-trans regulation, whether it’s something that limits school sports accessibility or healthcare options.

1-3

10 - 14

4-6

15 - 34

7-9

35 +

NO DATA COLLECTED SOURCE: WASHINGTON POST INFOGRAPHIC BY QUINN RUDNICK

May 2023 November 2022

SPRING SPORTS SNAPSHOTS GIRLS’ SOCCER

LEFT: Girls’ varsity soccer player junior defender Paige Pisciotta (#23) wins a header against an Eaglecrest player. Creek won the game 4-1.

BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL

BELOW: Senior girls’ varsity 1 tennis player Lorena Cedeno plays during a match against Pine Creek on April 17.

Creek won the match 7-0.

PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK

BELOW: Girls’ varsity lacrosse player sophomore midfielder Ava Whitt (#20) fights for a draw during a game against Fairview on April 21. Creek won the match 12 - 9. The boys’ lacrosse team is undefeated as of April 28.

GIRLS’ TENNIS

PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK PHOTO BY CARLY PHILPOTT

ABOVE: Boys’ varsity volleyball senior outside hitter Zack Filene serves a ball during a match against Grandview during a Pac the Place night. Creek beat Grandview 3-2, placing 2421, 25-23, and 15-8 in three sets out of five.

PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK

BOYS’ SWIM & DIVE

LACROSSE BELOW: Girls’ varsity golfer junior Carly Proestos hits a ball during a match against multiple schools on April 25. Creek placed second with a score of 166.

GIRLS’ GOLF PHOTO BY CARLY PHILPOTT

ABOVE: Boys’ varsity swimmer junior Colin Mikulecky warms up after the diving event during a meet against Overland on April 20. Creek won the meet 441-85.

TRACK & FIELD

BOYS’ BASEBALL

PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK

LEFT: Boys’ varsity baseball player junior Will Taylor throws out a pitch during a game against Overland on April 18. Creek won the game 14-4.

PHOTO BY PETER PHILPOTT

ABOVE: Varsity track and field member sophomore Caroline Laughlin runs the girls’ 800 meter relay event at the Pomona Invite on April 15.